Blackout, Three Ways

Custom 144" AWD Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Van Conversions by Exclusive Outfitters

Some vans demand attention the moment they pull into a lot. The Blackout Editions do that — matte black, aggressive stance, the kind of presence that makes people stop and look twice.

But they weren’t designed to be photographed. They were designed to be driven — hard, often, and in conditions that would expose every shortcut a lesser builder ever took. Spend five minutes inside one and you realize the exterior was never the point. It was just the first sentence of a longer story.

Model A, Model B, and Model C. Three of the most complete builds to ever leave the EO shop. Not because of what they look like. Because of what they can do — and how long they’ll keep doing it.

More Than a Finish Package

Blackout wasn’t a colorway. It was a complete system — marine-grade aluminum cabinetry, electric pop-top sleeping, off-grid power, and chassis-mounted air conditioning, all integrated into a single cohesive build rather than assembled from separate decisions.

For buyers searching for a custom 144" AWD Sprinter van conversion that performs in real conditions — not just in spec sheets — this is what that actually looks like.

All three Blackout builds share the same structural backbone: 630Ah lithium power, chassis-mounted CruiseNComfort A/C, pop-top sleeping, EO marine-grade aluminum cabinetry, and the same open flex space that makes every EO build adaptable when the plan changes. What differs is how each one configures the front cabin, the galley, and the daily living experience — and those differences matter more than buyers often expect.

Model A — Elevated Comfort, Fully Realized

Model A leans into refinement without sacrificing capability. Matte black exterior paired with warm camel Italian leather and teak surfaces creates a space that feels grounded and considered — equal parts overland machine and modern retreat.

▶ Watch the full Model A walkthrough with John!

Seating: Captain's Chairs and a Cabin that Connects

The front cabin swivels — both driver and passenger seats rotate to face inward, opening the space when parked and turning the van into a connected living environment rather than a row of seats facing forward. Behind them, dual electric second-row captain’s chairs in camel Italian leather anchor the cabin. They swivel, recline, and heat — and they do it independently, which matters when one person wants to recline and the other wants to face the table.

The rear dinette seats up to six around a large teakwood table, with a front accent card table adding a second surface up front. Seats 4 comfortably for travel. Sleeps 4–5. Still feels open.

SEATING & SLEEPING

  • MBZ factory swivel seats - driver and passenger
  • Dual electric second row captain's chairs in camel Italian leather (swivel, recline, and heated)
  • Rear dinette seating for up to 6 with large teakwood table
  • Front teakwood card table
  • Custom lower aluminum panel bed system
  • EO electric pop-top upper sleeping area
  • Flexible open floor sleeping configuration

Galley: Compact and Intentional

Model A runs a compact galley — walnut countertop, sink, portable induction cooktop, and refrigerator — sized to keep the floor plan open rather than dominate it. The galley is there when you need it and stays out of the way when you don’t.

Water & Living

A 30-gallon fresh water system feeds both the interior sink and a rear outdoor shower. The shower setup spans the full width of the open rear doors with a dedicated curtain, and a Rolef bug screen serves as the backdrop — keeping insects out, airflow in, and the interior dry while you rinse off at the end of the day. Hot water on demand. A dry flush toilet rounds out a fully self-contained living system.

The Rolef rear screen door is purpose-built for the Sprinter
platform — learn more at rolef.ca.

WATER & GALLEY

  • 30-gallon fresh water system
  • Compact EO galley with walnut countertop, sink, portable induction cooktop, and refrigerator
  • Rear outdoor shower with hot water on demand
  • Full-width shower curtain across open rear doors
  • Rolef rear bug screen - insect protection, ventilation, interior stays dry
  • Laveo dry flush toilet

Power & Climate

630Ah lithium battery system. 400W solar with a dedicated second alternator. 2000W inverter and shore power. CruiseNComfort chassis-mounted off-grid A/C — integrated below the vehicle floor, not on the roof. No interference with the pop-top, lower center of gravity, and true off-grid cooling from battery power alone. Espar diesel heat for four-season travel.

Suspension and Exterior

Van Compass Stage 4.3 suspension with adjustable front and rear shocks, tuned for both on-road comfort and off-pavement control. CAtuned front bumper, Baja Designs lighting, Aluminess roof rack, running boards, rear tire carrier with cargo box, and an Aluminess Electric PowerLift bike rack. LINE-X coated rocker panels and front body skin.

Blackout Edition: Model A

Model B — Utility, Without Rigidity

Model B shifts toward flexibility and shared use. Wrapped in 3M matte black with full custom black leather upholstery accented in Morocco brown, it carries a rich, grounded palette — deepened by aurora copper laminate beneath the pop-top cushions in a way that’s subtle but unmistakable once you see it.

Seats 4. Sleeps 4–5. Adapts depending on how it’s used.

▶ Watch the full Model B walkthrough with John!

Seating - The Bench that Changes Everything

Model B doesn’t use fixed second-row chairs. Instead, a quick-release two-seat bench integrates across from the larger galley, butting cleanly to the cabinetry while maintaining full access to the sink, fridge, and storage. The logic is straightforward: installed, it seats four. Removed, the floor opens entirely. Repositioned, the layout shifts to whatever the moment calls for — and it can move outside under the awning with a dedicated cover when camp is set.

Up front, MBZ factory swivel seats open the cabin the same way they do in every EO build. The rear dinette seats six around a teak table. Nothing fixed. Nothing wasted.

SEATING & SLEEPING

  • MBZ factory swivel seats, driver and passenger
  • Quick-release two-seat bench (installs, removes, or repositions)
  • Front accent card table
  • Electric pop-top upper sleeper for 2
  • Lower aluminum panel bed with premium cushions for 2-3
  • Full custom black leather EO upholstery

Galley - Larger Footprint, Fuller Kitchen

Model B carries a larger galley than Model A or C — more counter space, more storage, and a fuller daily living setup. Portable induction cooktop and Isotherm refrigerator. A 37-gallon onboard water system — the largest of the three — with hot water and a skid plate for undercarriage protection.

Water & Living

The rear outdoor shower spans the full width of the open rear doors with a dedicated curtain. A Rolef bug screen serves as the backdrop — keeping everything inside dry, insects out, and air moving freely. Hot water on demand. Model B also includes a dry flush toilet and a Dometic electric awning with LED lighting, making it the most self-contained of the three builds for extended off-grid use.

The Rolef rear screen door is purpose-built for the Sprinter platform — learn more at rolef.ca.

WATER & GALLEY

  • 37-gallon onboard water system with hot water + skid plate protection
  • Portable induction cooktop and Isotherm refrigerator
  • Rear outdoor shower with hot water on demand
  • Full-width shower curtain across open rear doors
  • Rolef rear bug screen - insect protection, ventilation, interior stays dry
  • Dry flush toilet
  • Cometic electric awning with LED lighting

Power & Climate

Same backbone as the lineup: 630Ah lithium, 400W solar with smart control, 2000W inverter, 30A shore power, and CruiseNComfort chassis-mounted off-grid A/C. High-output second alternator for rapid charging while driving. Dual ARB air compressor with front and rear hookups. Espar diesel heat for four-season capability.

Suspension & Exterior

Agile Offroad FOX Factory Race AWD suspension. Ridgeline front bumper, Aluminess roof rack, side ladders, rear tire carrier, and Electric PowerLift bike rack. Full surround LED exterior lighting.

Blackout Edition: Model B

Model C — Space, Preserved

Model C is restraint, executed properly. Finished in matte black with blackout wheels and all-terrain tires, it’s built for movement over excess — clean, open, and designed for a family that’s done waiting and ready to go.

Full custom tobacco leather upholstery runs throughout the cabin, giving Model C a warmer, more personal feel than its minimal exterior suggests. Seats 5. Sleeps 4–5.

Seating - Five Up, and the Floor Still Breathes

Model C is the only Blackout build that seats five — achieved through a quick-release Mercedes-Benz factory bench seat with child seat latches in the second row, paired with MBZ factory swivels up front. The bench releases cleanly when the configuration needs to change, keeping the flex space available without the build feeling like a compromise in either direction.

The rear dinette seats six around a teak table. Five-seat capacity in a 144" conversion is harder to achieve than it sounds without closing off the living space — Model C threads that needle.

SEATING & SLEEPING

  • MBZ factory swivel seats - driver and passenger
  • Quick-release MBZ factory bench seat with child-seat latches (second row)
  • rear teakwood dinette, seats 6
  • Full custom tobacco leather upholstery
  • Electric pop-top upper bed
  • EO aluminum panel bed with premium cushions below
  • Flexible open floor sleeping configuration

Galley - Compact, Clean, and Capable

Model C runs a compact galley — Isotherm refrigerator, portable induction cooktop, and integrated storage — sized to keep the cabin open rather than fill it.

Water & Living

A 30-gallon fresh water system feeds the interior and the rear outdoor shower. Like the other two Blackout builds, the shower spans the open rear doors with a full-width curtain, and a Rolef bug screen keeps the interior protected while you shower — dry inside, fresh air moving through, no bugs. Hot water on demand. Model C also includes a dry flush toilet, making it a fully self-contained option for families spending extended time off-grid.

WATER & GALLEY

  • 30-gallon fresh water system
  • Dometic refrigerator and portable induction cooktop
  • Rear outdoor shower with hot water on demand
  • Full-width shower curtain across open rear doors
  • Rolef bug screens
  • Dry Flush Toilet

Power & Climate

630Ah lithium, roof solar, high-output second alternator, 2000W inverter and shore power. CruiseNComfort chassis mounted off-grid A/C. Espar diesel heater for four-season travel. Park it, shut it down, and stay comfortable — no engine required.

Storage & Exterior

EO marine-grade aluminum cabinetry and soft storage pouches throughout. Aluminess roof rack, rear tire carrier, exterior utility box, and PowerLift electric bike rack. Ridgeline front bumper, Van Compass suspension, full LED exterior lighting, matte black 3M wrap, blackout wheels, all-terrain tires.

Blackout Edition: Model C

How the Three Differ — At a Glance

The shared infrastructure across all three builds is intentional — same power system, same chassis-mounted climate control, same pop-top sleeping, same flex space, same rear outdoor shower setup with curtain and Rolef bug screen. What changes is how each build configures the human experience inside.

Model A is the captain’s chair build — refined, warm, and oriented toward the couple or small family that wants individual comfort and a connected front cabin. The compact galley keeps the floor open; the camel Italian leather keeps the atmosphere elevated.

Model B is the most flexible and the most self-contained — the quick-release bench reconfigures the space entirely, the larger galley supports longer stays, and the dry flush toilet and 37-gallon water system mean it can go further between stops than either of the other two.

Model C seats five without losing the room to breathe. The tobacco leather and factory bench give it a family-first feel, and the compact galley keeps the floor plan honest. It’s the build for the family that needs the fifth seat and refuses to give up the open floor to get it.

Why These Vans Sold in a Week

Buyers searching for a custom AWD Sprinter van conversion in California aren’t comparing features in a vacuum. They’re asking whether the van will feel cramped with four people in it. Whether it will drive well after 600 miles. Whether it will actually get used, or sit in a driveway looking expensive.

The Blackout Editions answered all of it. The matte black finish and cohesive materials gave them an aggressive, considered stance. The engineering underneath gave buyers confidence that what they were looking at would hold up once the trail got rough and the pavement ran out.

That combination — striking on sight, dependable in use — is why none of them lasted a week on the market.

Three Vans. One Standard.

Model A, B, and C each solve the 144" AWD Sprinter conversion differently. The materials shift. The layouts adapt. The use cases diverge. But the structural approach — systems integrated below the floor, weight distributed at the chassis, nothing bolted on as an afterthought — stays consistent across all three.

Built. Styled. Dialed.

Talk to the Builder

All three Blackout Editions are sold. But the thinking behind them — the chassis-first engineering, the modular layouts, the materials selection — carries into every build that leaves the EO shop. If you’re ready to have a real conversation about what your build looks like, John is the right call.

Reach out to John Mattarollo, founder of Exclusive Outfitters, directly:

Phone: 714-524-2224 (office)  –  949-212-2792 (cell)

Email: John@exclusiveoutfitters.com

Tell him what you’re looking for. He’ll tell you honestly whether EO can build it, and what it actually takes to get there.

The Engineering Behind the Blackout Editions

The engineering behind the Blackout Editions goes deeper than what you can see.

Every heavy system in these builds — water tanks, battery banks, the CruiseNComfort A/C — is mounted to the chassis, below the floor, positioned in deliberate relation to everything else. Not wherever it fit. Not wherever the floor plan made it convenient. Where the physics demanded it.

Most builders treat weight as a secondary consideration. At EO, it’s the first one. And the difference reveals itself not at delivery, but over years — in brake systems that run cooler, suspension components that hold their performance, and interiors that don’t loosen or degrade as the miles accumulate.

We wrote the full breakdown. It’s worth reading before you buy anything.